(1 month later)
Richard stands next to Meredith in the elevator. He chuckles to himself.
"What?" Meredith asks.
"You are so your mother…" he says.
Meredith looks horrified. "Why would you say something like that?" she asks.
"Relax…" Richard says, still laughing. "It's just that you're the only person I know who chooses to get married in surgical scrubs.
"Derek and I spent our whole relationship in scrubs. I think it's only fitting that everyone in the wedding party wear surgical scrubs. Of course, I had to lie to the dress shop when I decided to cancel the bridesmaid dresses, and the wedding gown. Do you know that I made Lexie call and pretend to cry and tell them that the groom dumped me?" she asks.
"Okay…now you are no longer your mother. Your mother would have never thought about the big white dress in the first place. And bridesmaids…well, she wouldn't have had any," he laughs.
"Thank you, Richard," Meredith says.
"For what?" he asks.
"For being my stand in father today. I appreciate it," she says.
"You're welcome. Your stand in mother is downstairs waiting. Let's go," he says.
Dr. Bailey stands in front of the elevator as it opens. "I'm ready to go. Let's go get you ready. Your sister and Izzie are chomping at the bit to get their hands on your hair," she says, before adding, "We'll be back in a bit, Richard. Why don't you go join the men in the on call room," she says.
Richard nods and leaves to join the men.
"Thank you, Dr. Bailey," Meredith says.
"Don't thank me. I wouldn't miss this for the world. I should be walking all of you down the aisle. I raised you from the time you were an intern!" she says.
"You did. Thank you for putting up with me and all of my…well…thank you for putting up with me," Meredith replies.
"You were one of my favorite pain in the butts. Now let's get you to Izzie and Lexie before they hunt you down with their curling iron," Dr. Bailey says.
(Break)
"Dude, I can't believe you let Meredith talk you into this. I mean, a wedding in a hospital?" Alex says.
"It's what she wants," Derek says, unapologetically.
"And we don't have to wear a tux. This is the way to do it, Shepherd!" Owen says, slapping Derek on the back.
"How you holding up, buddy? Think Big Grey will make it down the aisle?" Mark asks.
"Big Grey is going to make it down the aisle just fine," Derek says, slightly defensively.
"Yeah. Bailey's walking her down. If she freaks, Bailey will drag her down the aisle by her ear!" Alex says, laughing.
"She'll be fine," Mark says, realizing that his joke has made Derek start to sweat a little. "Little Grey will keep her calm."
"So how is married life for Little Grey and Little Sloan?" Owen asks.
"I told you…there's nothing little about Sloan," Mark says. "But it's good. It's weird. It doesn't feel different. It feels like it always has. It's just me and her…you know?" Mark pauses for a moment and says, "Why? Are you and Cristina going to tie the knot?"
Owen sighs. "Maybe…I don't know. We'll see. I'm not like you guys. When I'm ready, Cristina will be the first to know."
"Do you know how you'd do it?" Alex asks.
Owen nods. "I know exactly what I'd do. But you won't…not until after I do it," he says.
"You're a weird dude," Alex replies, shaking his head.
"You guys think she's okay…right?" Derek asks.
"Of course," Mark says, confidently.
"Why wouldn't she be?" Owen asks.
"Mer? Okay? Mer's never okay. I bet she's freaking right now," Alex says.
The chief walks in. "Meredith? Don't worry…I'll drag her down the aisle if I have to," he says.
"Thanks guys," Derek says, sarcastically, shaking his head.
(Break)
"Just breathe," Lexie says, kneeling down next to Meredith.
"I knew she was going to freak out. You guys were making her nuts with the hair and makeup crap. Put her hair in a ponytail. Derek would love her if she didn't shower for a month," Cristina says.
"I can't do this. Marriage doesn't work. It didn't work with Derek and Addison, it didn't work with my mother and father, it didn't work with you and Burke. Why would I think it would work with me and Derek?" Meredith pants.
"It worked with my parents," Lexie says.
"No it didn't. Your mother died of hiccups and our father became a raging alcoholic," Meredith points out.
"Okay, point taken, but they were happy when they were together," Lexie says, attempting to make her point again.
"I'm not a person who gets married. Izzie, will you tell Derek I can't do this? Just tell him I'm sorry. I love him and we can just go on as we are and everything will be fine. I can't do this," she says, with tears in her eyes.
Izzie looks panicked. She does not want to walk down the hall and break Derek's heart. She watches Meredith sitting on the floor, hugging her knees, breathing rapidly and says, "Mer…you don't want me to do that….you're just…"
"Meredith Grey! I put up with your whole drama filled intern year in which this day was your ultimate goal. Now get up, get dressed and walk down that fake aisle that everyone spent all day making while I covered their rounds or you'll be doing rectal exams for the rest of your residency," she says, pulling Meredith to her feet.
Meredith shakes her head. "I can't, Dr. Bailey. I just can't."
Dr. Bailey looks stunned. "Damn. Am I losing it…you all used to jump when I spoke," she mutters to herself.
Lexie puts her hand on Meredith's shoulder.
"There's no touching. She's going to freak even more if you touch," Cristina says.
"You don't make the rules here. I'm the maid of honor," Lexie says, confidently.
Izzie laughs. "Look who's not scared of Cristina anymore…." she says in a singsong voice.
"Meredith, look at me," Lexie says.
Meredith looks at her sister.
"6 months ago, no one knew if I'd live or die, and if I did live, if I'd ever look normal again," Lexie begins.
Meredith stares at her blankly.
"I fought to live, partly so I could be here to share in all of the joys life brings. Part of that joy is watching my sister get married and live happily ever after. Come on, Mer…let me watch you be happy," Lexie pleads.
"What if I turn into my mother and drive him away?" Meredith says.
"Then I'll worship you…Your mother was a damn good surgeon," Cristina says.
"Then I'll tell you that you're screwing up and we'll fix it. That's what families do," Lexie promises, shooting Cristina a look.
"Come on. Get up. Get ready. Don't pull a Cristina. That was so embarrassing," Izzie says.
"Yeah. And cutting the LVAD wire wasn't embarrassing at all," Cristina says, sarcastically.
Meredith gets up slowly. "I'm ready," she says.
(Break)
The interns cue the music. Cristina turns to Izzie. "I can't believe you put the interns in charge of this. I mean, seriously? They can't do anything right. Most of them can't even put in a central line!" she says.
Lexie glares at Cristina. "I can put in a central line in under 10 seconds," she says, proudly.
"Present company excluded," Cristina concedes.
Izzie hands Meredith a lipstick. "Can you please put this on. It's almost time," she says.
Meredith quickly applies her lipstick and stands nervously waiting to walk down the makeshift aisle in the cafeteria which has been transformed with red roses and white calla lilles in beautiful bouquets creating an aisle down the center. Alex walks down the aisle, followed by Owen and then Mark. Next, Derek stands next to his mother.
"I just knew you'd finally find the one, Derek. This girl is the one. And I love this wedding. It's unconventional. You're always conventional. It's good to see you break out of the confinements of the mold," she says.
Derek smiles. "Thank you for everything, Mom. For not saying anything when I married the wrong girl years ago. For seeing even before I did that Meredith was the right one. And for not strangling me when Mark and I stole the car that time on prom night," he adds, giving his mom a little smirk.
"Derek, I'm so happy to see you happy. And your father…" Mrs. Shepherd wipes a tear from her eye. "He would have been so proud to see you here today…so happy."
Derek squeezes her hand. She looks at her son as they step down the aisle together. When they arrive at the makeshift altar which consists of a cafeteria table covered in a cover knitted by Izzie and a beautiful arrangement of the red and white flowers, his mother kisses him and sits down in the front row.
Next, Izzie walks down the aisle, smiling at her decorating work as she moves slowly down the aisle. Cristina walks next. She smiles, knowing that Meredith is truly happy. Lexie squeezes Meredith's hand before she walks down the aisle. "I love you, Mer," she says before she walks down the aisle to join Izzie and Cristina.
Dr. Bailey and Dr. Webber stand on either side of Meredith. "Are you ready?" Richard asks.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Meredith exhales.
"Then let's go get my first baby married off!" Dr. Bailey says, linking her arm through Meredith's.
As they walk down the aisle, Meredith stares at Derek, locking her eyes into his. His smile betrays his love for her and she cannot wait to get to the end of the aisle to be near him.
"Do you, Derek Shepherd, take Meredith Grey to be your lawful wedded wife. To love and honor for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, as long as you both shall live?"
Derek beams. "I do," he says, confidently.
Meredith smiles. She is no longer nervous. In her mind there is no longer a crowd. It is just her and Derek standing there.
"Do you, Meredith Grey, take Derek Shepherd to be your lawful wedded husband. To love and honor for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Meredith says, beaming back at him.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride,"
Derek wraps his arms around Meredith as he kisses her deeply and passionately.
"Finally!" Cristina sighs.
"Seriously!" Izzie replies, smiling happily.
As they file out of the cafeteria, the interns hurry to get the room redone for the reception. Dr. Bailey says, "If this were a surgical case, the patient would be dead already! Hurry it up, interns!"
The hospital lobby is set up for cocktail hour, where everyone mingles. Izzie greets the guests at the door and makes everyone feel welcome.
"The coat closet is over there," she says, when Molly asks where to put her coat. "You look great," she says, warmly, seeing that Molly is uncomfortable.
"Do you know where Lexie is?" Molly asks.
"Yes. She's standing with Callie and Mark back by the bar. Well…actually it looks like a bar. It's actually the shelf we use to file the charts," she says.
"Thank you." Molly says.
Molly rushes over to Lexie and pulls her away from Mark. Izzie watches as Lexie's face turns white and Lexie runs toward the parking lot.
Izzie follows her. "What is it?" she asks.
"My father is here. He's here and he's drunk, and he's going to ruin Meredith's wedding. Cover for me. I have to get him out of here," Lexie says, rushing to the door.
Mark excuses himself saying, "Callie, I have to go find Derek. I'll be right back."
"No problem. I want to see Addison. I can't believe she's here. Do you think this is weird for her?"
"Probably," Mark says, distractedly, rushing over to Derek who has his arm around his bride.
"Meredith, Izzie was looking for you," Mark says. "She wants to check your makeup. I told her you're always hot, but she says she needs you to reapply lipstick or something," he says quickly.
Meredith sighs and kisses Derek. "I'll be right back. I have to humor her or she'll drive me nuts all night!" she says, smiling.
Mark leans towards Derek. "Keep Meredith away from the entrance. Thatcher's here, and he's drunk. I heard Molly tell Lexie," Mark says.
Derek's face darkens as he imagines Thatcher ruining Meredith's perfect wedding. "You know, I got married in a hospital in scrubs so she could have her perfect wedding and be comfortable with this whole thing. She didn't want a big dramatic scene, and I'm not going to let him create one," he says, angrily.
Mark grabs his arm. "Relax, man. Lexie's out there. She said she'll handle it. She's got it under control. Just keep an eye on Meredith," he says.
Derek nods and goes to find his wife.
(Break)
"Lexie!!! I'm here!!! I'm going to dance with Ellis!" he says.
"Ellis is dead. This is Meredith's wedding and you're not getting within 50 feet of her," she says.
"Ellis is dead. Good thing too, she was a cold, mean, woman. I'm going to dance with Meredith," he says.
"You're not going to dance with Meredith. Go home and sober up, Dad. I get that relapse is part of recovery, but not now. You can't do this here. I'll call you a cab," Lexie says, coldly.
"She has no right to hate me. If she knew how hard I tried to see her at first…if she knew how impossible Ellis made it…It's not fair, Lexie! I got stuck with that witch, Ellis and then when I finally got rid of her and built a perfect life with Susan, Meredith goes and kills her," Thatcher laments, irrationally.
"Dad…go home. You smell like a bar and you're not making sense. I don't want to do this right now. I'm the maid of honor. I should be inside," Lexie says, resentfully.
"You think you should be inside with that fake sister of yours instead of out here with your father? Why don't you love me anymore, Lexie? Why doesn't anyone love me anymore?" he asks.
Lexie sits down next to her father, who has collapsed against the side of the building. She sighs. "I do love you, Dad. I will always love you because I knew you when you were really you. I loved you then, because you were worth loving. I love you now because you were once worth loving. Meredith never knew you like that, which is sad, because she would have loved you too. But you've never given her a reason to. Go home, Dad. She doesn't want you here."
"What do you want, Zandra?" he asks.
Lexie thinks for a moment. "I want Mom back. I want you back. I want things the way they were. But since I'm not 12 year old Zandra anymore, I know that isn't possible, so I want you to stop calling me Zandra. I want you to start calling me Lexie which is what everyone has called me since I was in 7th grade. I want you to be predictable and sober and a father to me and eventually a grandfather to the kids that Mark and I will have. I want you to leave Meredith alone if that's what she wants, and I want you to leave this parking lot right now and I want to not see you again until you're the man who raised me," Lexie says, with tears glistening in her eyes.
Thatcher looks at his daughter. "The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you or Molly….or even Meredith. I'm broken Lexie. I don't know if I can be fixed, but I'll go," he says, getting into his car.
"Wait! Dad! I'll get someone to drive you! You shouldn't…" she calls after him as his car speeds away.
As Lexie watches him drive off, knowing he shouldn't be driving, she is ashamed to admit that she is just glad he is gone, and she doesn't have to worry about him ruining Meredith's wedding anymore and embarrassing her in front of her colleagues.
She takes a deep breath and walks back into the lobby pasting a smile on her face.
"Lexie! Where have you been? The room is ready. The interns just told everyone to go in!" Meredith says, with Derek's arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
Lexie smiles at her sister. "I was just putting your gifts in the other room. Let's go in," she says.
Lexie sees Molly from across the room. "You go ahead, Mer. I'll meet you inside…okay?"
Meredith and Derek walk into the redecorated cafeteria where red table clothes covered in lacy overlays decorated each round table. Intricate centerpieces adorn each table and the entire ceiling has been strung with tiny pin lights which light up the dark room, elegantly.
"Its…" Meredith breaths.
"Perfect?" Derek asks.
Meredith nods, unable to find the words to speak. Her eyes radiate happiness.
Lexie approaches Molly. "I sent him away," she says.
"Good. One of us can bring his car to him tomorrow," Molly says.
Lexie looks uncomfortable. "Well, he actually drove it home," she says. "I couldn't stop him," she says.
Molly narrows her eyes. "Couldn't? Or didn't want to make a scene because it might ruin Tragic Meredith's big day?" she says, sarcastically.
"I couldn't stop him without a big scene and to be honest, I'm tired of his big scenes. I just wanted him gone. Honestly, Molly…I'm not going to live my life taking care of him and taking responsibility for his actions. He's a grown man. If he wants to drink and drive, let him deal with the consequences. I'm done," Lexie says.
"You know, for a doctor, sometimes you're really dumb. I'll go find him, and clean up your mess," Molly says, angrily.
Lexie sighs and decides to put her family drama out of her mind and go in and enjoy the party. She finds Mark.
"Everything okay?" he asks.
"Who cares! Let's dance," she says, pulling him onto the dance floor.
(Break)
The interns have set up DJ equipment and one of them grabs the microphone.
"Ummm…I'm Nate, and I had the slowest time on the suture test, so I have to host the night," he says, good naturedly.
Everyone laughs with him as he waits for the crowd to quiet down.
"I'd like to call Dr. Grey and Dr. Shepherd onto the dance floor to dance their first dance as husband and wife," he says.
Meredith and Derek make their way to the dance floor.
Something in your eyes, makes me want to lose myself
Makes me want to lose myself, in your eyes
There's something in your voice, makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of your life.
If you knew how lonely my whole life has been
And how low I've felt for so long
And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along and change my life
The way you've done.
Feels like home to me
It feels like home to me
If feels like I'm all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
As Derek embraces Meredith, she rests her head on his shoulder. He kisses the top of her head. She smiles at him and looks up into his eyes.
"You're my home…you know that?" she says.
"I know. You're my home too. I want to make lots of little Shepherds with your dark and twisty eggs," he teases.
"Lots?" Meredith teases back.
"Oh yes. Lots and lots," Derek replies.
"Let me get used to this whole marriage thing first," she says, smiling.
"Fair enough," Derek replies.
"Come join the happy couple out on the dance floor!" Nate, the intern calls into the microphone.
Mark takes Lexie's hand and leads her to the dance floor. Izzie and Alex giggle as the dance with their faces close together.
"Did you think she'd ever actually make it down the aisle?" Alex asks.
Izzie thinks for a moment. "Yes. I did. I mean, how could someone deprive themselves of this kind of happiness? Look at them," she says.
"That's going to be us soon," he says.
"But I won't be wearing scrubs," she says, definitely.
"Maybe I will…" Alex teases.
"Over my dead body!" Izzie states.
Owen pulls Cristina onto the dance floor.
"This is weird…" Cristina says.
"How?" Owen asks.
"Meredith's happy. I don't have to rescue her. She's just happy and stable and I don't know what to do," Cristina admits.
"How about dancing with me?" he asks.
Cristina shrugs. "Okay. We can try that," she says.
The chief walks over to Addison who is sitting on a cafeteria chair covered in white fabric.
"So how are you doing, Addie?" he asks.
Addison smiles. "I'm okay. This feels strange, you know? I thought I'd be angry, or sad, or something…I mean, here I am alone at my ex-husband's wedding. I'm watching him marry the intern he dated while we were still married. Only she's not an intern anymore…and they're happy…and I don't feel anything but happy for them," she says.
"Are you happy?" Richard asks.
Addison thinks for a moment. "I'm not unhappy…I wish I weren't alone, but I'm content. Content is the word. I'm content," she says.
"Good. I'm happy for you," Richard says. "I wish you'd be happy working for me, but if I can't have you on my staff, I'm just glad you're happy."
Addison holds out her hand. "Come dance with me, Richard. I want to dance at my ex husband's wedding," she says.
"I'd be honored," Richard replies leading Addison to the dance floor.
They dance until the song ends at which time, Nate says, "I'd like to invite Mrs. Shepherd to enjoy the first dance with her son," he says leading Mrs. Shepherd on to the dance floor.
Meredith smiles as she watches Derek dance in the arms of his mother. Lexie stands next to Meredith.
"You guys looked so happy. It's true love when you can look that happy standing in scrubs in the hospital cafeteria," Lexie says.
"This night is perfect. Are you having fun?" Meredith asks.
"Of course! " Lexie says, a bit too brightly. Her mind is still on Thatcher and Molly and the scene that was probably occurring.
"Good. Is Molly having fun? Does she feel weird because she doesn't know anyone?" Meredith asks.
"Molly? Oh…Molly's fine. She just had to run home…the baby was running a fever. She said she'd be back after she checked on her," Lexie lies.
"Oh. Okay. I hope the baby's okay. She can always bring her here. Addison can take a look at her," Meredith jokes.
"Do you think Addison feels weird? Maybe you should go say something to her or something? It was pretty big of her to come here," she says.
"You're right. Save me if it gets ugly…okay?" she says.
Cristina watches as Meredith walks over to Addison. "What is she doing?" she says to Owen.
"Ummm…I think she's talking to Addison Montgomery?" Owen replies.
"Maybe I should go over there and save her. This is going to get awkward," Cristina replies.
"Why don't you take a walk with me. I want to show you something," he says.
"I can't take a walk with you. I have to make sure Addison doesn't decapitate Meredith!" Cristina replies, forcefully.
"Meredith is a big girl. Stop being a mother-hen. Let her enjoy her wedding…and you can come enjoy me," Owen says.
"Give me a minute. I just need to check everything out. Meredith can't handle a big drama right now," Cristina says.
Lexie passes Cristina and Cristina grabs her arm. "Lexie. Will you keep an eye on…"
"Meredith and Addison? No problem," Lexie says, competently.
"She's going to be a great doctor," Cristina says, as she walks away.
"Why?" Owen asks, as he leads Cristina down the hall away from the crowd.
"Because she doesn't freak out. She's calm and can handle things. She's got the people skills of Izzie and the nerves of steel like me," Cristina says proudly.
"And you got all of that because she is willing to brave Meredith and Addison fighting?" Owen asks.
"Yes," Cristina says, unapologetically.
Owen laughs and his eyes sparkle as he leads Cristina to their special place. As she stands on the vent, it blows air forcefully on her and her hair blows all over the place. Reflexively, she closes her eyes and screams. When she opens her eyes, Owen is on one knee holding a small box.
"Cristina Yang…will you spend the rest of your life with me?" he asks, looking her in the eye.
The vent blows more air on her.
"Yes!" she screams as the vent blows her hair wildly again.
He picks her up and carries her down the hall. She laughs hysterically.
"Put me down!" she screams.
"No way! I'm carrying my bride-to-be over the threshold!"
She pretends to fight, but laughs the whole time they walk down the hall until they approach the cafeteria and he puts her down.
When she opens the door, Owen leads her in quietly. They smile at each other, secretively and go join the party.
A moment later, Molly rushes in and rushes over to Izzie and Lexie who are standing by the bar.
Lexie looks at her sister who's face looks white as a ghost.
"What's wrong, Molly?" Izzie asks.
Molly ignores her and looks directly into Lexie's eyes. "Come with me," she says.
Lexie looks at Izzie, scared to follow Molly.
"I'll come too," Izzie says, following the two sisters out of the wedding.
(Break)
Only one more chapter…The last chapter will sum up everything and will be tragic and happy and funny and sad and all the things that makes Grey's Anatomy the show we all love! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. PLEASE review…
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!!!
Thanks for those of you who reviewed last chapter!!! You rock!
Jess